The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery trained hard at their barracks in Woolwich for their role in the military procession marking VE Day 80.
They’re one of the most recognisable sights during state occasions: military horses pulling First World War era guns with immaculately dressed riders. There were over 60 horses involved in the parade through London.
They joined the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment in leading the procession from Parliament Square, down Whitehall and past the Cenotaph, through Admiralty Arch and up The Mall to Buckingham Palace.
Did you know that the MoD’s official figures show the British Army does indeed have more horsepower of the four leg variety, than the heavy metal. An MoD spokesman said that as of July 2012 – the most up-to-date figures available, there were 502 horses and 334 tanks, which includes the Challenger 2 main battle tank.
For Hundreds of years many different types and sizes of horses have been used in war, depending on the form of warfare. The type used varied with whether the horse was being ridden or driven, and whether they were being used for cavalry charges, raiding, communication, or supply. Throughout history, mules and donkeys, as well as horses played a crucial role in providing support to armies in the field. Thankfully they now only play a ceremonial role, and what a sight it was to see them on the V E Day Parade.
Image Courtesy of Household Cavalry.
